Your Guide To Entertaining This Fall
There is something so deeply gratifying about being able to host your friends and family for seasonal gatherings. As September winds down and we inch closer to October, many of us have begun to transition from summer to fall in our home decor. If you’re not 100% sure where to begin when transitioning your life + home to Fall, check out our article full of tips.
Fall is an opportune time for hosting and entertaining because we’re just wrapping up the Summer months but also gearing up to usher in the Holiday season. I don’t know about you all, but at the tail-end of Summer, I am still very much in the mood to see and spend time with my loved ones. One of my girlfriends called me recently and asked if I could walk her through the process of entertaining a small group of friends for a dinner party at the end of the month. I was delighted that she thought of me to help guide her through the process, but I also wanted to capture some of the high points I shared with her for you all. Below are a few of my favorite ways to pre-plan for hosting and entertaining friends.
Align on Decor, Lighting, and a Tablescape Beforehand
When I am pre-planning to host at my home weeks in advance, I am thinking about the atmosphere and what vibe I want to set for my guests. For me, it's all about creating an enjoyable in-home experience—one that celebrates your guests but also one that includes intentional foods, fragrances, and other home elements that elevate the environment. I wholeheartedly believe in seasonal decor, but I try to shy away from traditional Fall decor for Fall events. I opt for more neutral color themes for place settings, linens, and decor accents. Your lighting matters too! It’s easier to start with textiles and build on top of that. First, it’s all about deciding on whether or not you want to opt for a table runner or a full tablecloth. My suggestion is tablecloths provide a more inviting feel in the room.
Once you’ve selected your tablecloth, think about the additional details that are needed for the tablescape.
Do you want placemats or plate chargers?
Are you serving multiple courses? If so, your place setting should include a single dinner plate, salad plate, and a dessert plate or bowl. Even if you aren’t serving a full-course meal, I would opt for layering plates of different sizes for added texture and interest.
Curate your centerpiece by starting with vases that complement your decor. I suggest long-stem vases and fresh florals for the occasion. Make sure that the color of your florals matches your color palette. I love the idea of mixing seasonal or faux plants with real flowers and adding candles to set the mood.
Keep it simple; you absolutely do not want to overwhelm the table.
It’s always a plus to create menus and nameplate cards to make your guest feel celebrated and extra special.
I think the most important thing to remember when you’re planning is to have fun. You don’t have to go all out and do a full place setting and grand centerpieces; if you choose to, that is okay too. Everything does not have to match perfectly, either. I love the idea of having fun and adding pops of color. If you’re going to go with a more subtle color palette for the table settings, why not add a vibrant plate charger? I love a pop of gold accents and enjoy the idea of gold plate chargers and gold silverware. Have fun!
Food And Drink Menus
Planning your menu in advance is one of, if not the most important detail as a host. A lot of people love the idea of preparing a full meal for the guest that they’re entertaining. While I don’t mind it sometimes, I’ve found that catering meals when I am hosting frees up a lot of my stress and worries and allows me to focus on other aspects of the party. Catering is also a better option when you have a large number of guests, and some of them have dietary restrictions. I love to layer in different types of meats like lamb or steak, but also have a variety of seafood like shrimp, salmon, and/or crab cakes. These meat options also work with cajun pasta and mixed vegetables. Don’t forget small bites for appetizers and dessert!
When it comes to the drink menu, you always want options. I am a fan of signature cocktails, but I often always opt for rosé or champagne as the signature for the night. It’s an alcoholic beverage that’s not too heavy and can be purchased in bulk. Assume that your guests won’t always drink the same type of alcohol. I think a great way to add a thoughtful touch is to create a seasonal cocktail. Tieghan of Halfbaked Harvest just dropped her list of The 20 Most Popular Fall Drinks. I am always trying her drink recipes, so I highly recommend it. Whenever I host, I have to have a variation of tequila and cognac because the room is almost always divided. I always like to have non-alcoholic beverages for my guests who don’t drink but still want to drink a refreshing mocktail. TÖST Beverages is a great non-alcholic option. They make sparkling refresher rosé in two unique flavors; their beverages can also be purchased in bulk and on membership!
Entertainment
Whether you’re hosting an indoor or outdoor event, planned entertainment is a must. Fall conjures up a sense of community and warmth. It’s a time when many friends and family fly into town or drive miles to be close to the ones they love. It’s also a time when many people opt to be close to the only sense of community or family they have, even if they aren’t related by blood. I like for the entertainment to feel warm and inviting. Select a good Jazz or R&B playlist to start the evening. I always want to ease into the evening and make the environment feel welcoming as guests arrive. As the evening progresses, shifting the mood and transitioning to a more upbeat, celebratory vibe is okay. Think about incorporating an assortment of games to give your guests options. The entire room may not want to break out and play games, but it’s best to be prepared for that. Create space for the room to be divided. Some may want to continue to drink and mingle, while others choose games.
Attire
Lastly, the obvious, most important detail of the night is attire. When invitations are sent out, you want to be very clear about the dress code and how you wish for your dress to show up for the night. When I first started hosting friends years ago, I had a rule that you must show up in "Everything Attire." Everything attire is simply you opting to look like everything and wear your best. It's formal but a little extra and over the top. I think it's important to find reasons to celebrate and get dressed up, especially now since we're just starting to get back out into the world post-pandemic. Celebrate yourselves, celebrate life, and do it fashionably!